Citation (APA style): Madoni, E. R., Wibowo, M. E., & Japar, M. (2018). Group counseling with systematic desensitization and EFT to reduce public speaking anxiety. Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling, 7(1), 28-35.
Abstract
Background: Public speaking is one of basic competencies that must be mastered by students. However, there are many students who experience public speaking anxiety, and score high on assessments of the condition. This study examined the effectiveness of group counselling sessions using two methods: systematic desensitization and emotional freedom technique (EFT). The two methods were each administered in two group counselling sessions. 16 students having high levels of public speaking anxiety were chosen from a group of 100 students by using purposive sampling. The results were analyzed using mixed anova repeated measures tests. These showed that both systematic desensitization and EFT were effective in reducing public speaking anxiety when delivered in a group counselling format. Based on score and time, EFT resulted in greater decreases in symptoms than systematic desensitization. Further research could determine whether additional EFT treatments would result in greater decreases in public speaking anxiety among students.
